England's round-of-16 clash with Mexico at the 2026 FIFA World Cup may not kick off at its scheduled 1am UK time slot, according to Sky Sports' Rob Dorsett.

The late start has raised concerns among England supporters and broadcasters alike, with the current scheduling presenting a significant challenge for fans hoping to watch the match live from Britain.

Dorsett explains that the kick-off time remains subject to change, and tournament organisers retain the authority to adjust scheduling — particularly in the knockout rounds — depending on broadcast negotiations, logistical factors, and the demands of competing host nations.

Why the timing could shift

The 2026 World Cup is jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, meaning scheduling considerations are unusually complex. The spread of venues across multiple time zones adds further pressure on FIFA to balance local audiences with global broadcast audiences.

A 1am UK kick-off would make it difficult for the vast majority of England fans at home to watch the game in real time, a concern that carries commercial weight for broadcasters holding rights to the tournament.

Those discussions between FIFA, host broadcasters, and national federations could yet result in the fixture being moved to a more viewer-friendly slot for European audiences — though no official change has been confirmed.

What it means for England

Beyond the scheduling debate, England themselves will need to adapt if the match proceeds at an unconventional hour. Players' preparation routines, sleep schedules, and warm-up timings would all require adjustment to ensure peak performance in a knockout fixture where there is no margin for error.

England advanced from their group to face Mexico in the last 16, setting up what promises to be a compelling fixture between two footballing nations with deep World Cup history.

Any confirmed changes to the kick-off time are expected to be announced through official FIFA channels in the lead-up to the match.